Nov 07,2024
Ireland boss Andy Farrell admits that the visit of the All Blacks always adds extra excitement, but insists last year's World Cup defeat is "in the past now".
The Six Nations champions begin their Autumn Nations Series with a re-match of last year's quarter-final against New Zealand at Aviva Stadium on Friday night.
Amid the cliches of there being no easy games at Test level, and preparing for every game the same, there’s little doubt that the arrival of the three-time World Cup winners adds to the sense of occasion, with the kick-off time of 8.10pm an additional boost.
"I think it's a subconscious thing probably," Farrell said after announcing his team on Wednesday afternoon.
"Just because of the nature of the battles that we've had and the drama that's unfolded within those games. We all get excited. We're all rugby fans as well, you know.
"So, Friday night game, first game of the international season at the Aviva. If you can't get excited about that, we're in the wrong place."
The sides have met nine times over the last eight years with Ireland winning five, however, two of the New Zealand victories have come in World Cup knockout games, the last of which was the 28-24 loss in Paris last October.
"I don't see the [relevance] of the last game at all, really," said Farrell.
"We got asked straight after the World Cup about the hangover and that subject is in the past now, with the Marseille game [against France in the Six Nations] etc. We've moved on since the quarter-final, that's for sure.
"We didn't even get a chance to review our last game in South Africa because we were on our holidays, weren't we?
"We had to get on a couple of flights to get home. So, our main thing has been about our last game. Where can we improve? What are the areas?
"That, to be honest, is the main thing that excites us about where our next steps are."
Leinster number eight Caelan Doris captains a team that contains five changes from the side that beat South Africa last summer.
Finlay Bealham, Jamison Gibson-Park, Bundee Aki, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan all start.
"Well, one, he's certainly popular among the group because there’s no ego there whatsoever," said Farrell, who leaves for Lions duty after the autumn internationals, of his new skipper.
"He is unbelievably diligent in getting his own stuff right. He’s so professional.
"He's come on leaps and bounds in the last four years in regards to that, he's worked it out. He's very comfortable in his own skin.
"Obviously, being a leader now on a good few occasions and learning from the leaders that he's had the pleasure to sit alongside in his International career.
"He's like a sponge. He's took it all in and he's calm. He's not panicking. He's taken it all in his stride and that puts everyone else at ease. He's comfortable allowing others to lead at the same time.
"On top of that, he's not in bad form, is he?"
